Tesfaye Hailu

Tesfaye Wondmagegn Hailu, born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is a multifaceted artist with a rich background in fine arts, stage design, film production, and stained-glass artistry. A graduate of the Fine Arts School at Addis Ababa University, Tesfaye’s artistic journey began in childhood, growing up in the Piassa area, known for its skilled gold and silversmiths. This early exposure to craftsmanship led him to learn the art of jewelry making, which later influenced his intricate and detailed artistic approach.

His career took off at the Hager Fiker Theater, where he worked as a stage designer with his mentor, Seume Ayano, gaining experience in set construction, visual storytelling, and theatrical aesthetics.

In 2001, renowned filmmaker Haile Gerima hired Tesfaye as the Art Director for the internationally acclaimed film Teza, which won multiple awards at film festivals worldwide. Tesfaye also served as the Art Director for the award-winning film The Athlete.

His expertise expanded into the film industry, where he contributed to over 40 movies as a Production Designer, Visual Effects Supervisor, and Special Effects Makeup Artist. His ability to blend fine art with cinematic techniques made him a sought-after creative in Ethiopian cinema.

In addition to his contributions to film and theater, Tesfaye’s paintings have been exhibited at prestigious venues such as the Hilton Hotel and the African Union.

In 2017, Tesfaye moved to the United States, where he continued to explore new artistic avenues. Today, he primarily focuses on painting and stained-glass artistry while working in audio and video production. Since relocating to the U.S., he has completed large-scale projects in three churches, painting domes and walls and creating stunning stained-glass windows. His work reflects a fusion of traditional craftsmanship, theatrical design, and modern visual storytelling, establishing him as a versatile artist.